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Alleged Corruption: Proof Of Service Stalls Shasore’s Trial, Court Adjourns To June 20

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Alleged Corruption: Proof Of Service Stalls Shasore’s Trial, Court Adjourns To June 20

 

Justice Mojisola Dada granted the request for an adjournment to allow parties to exchange documents and subsequently adjourned till today.

 

The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed June 20 to commence trial in the alleged $200,000 corrupt offer charge brought against the former Attorney General of Lagos State, Olasupo Shasore, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Justice Mojisola Dada fixed the date following a disagreement over the service of documents from the prosecution to the defence. This disagreement effectively stalled the commencement of the trial on Tuesday.

 

On October 21, 2022, Shasore was arraigned before the court on a two-count charge bordering on corrupt offers to public officers contrary to and punishable under Section 9(1) (a) (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act 2000.

 

He pleaded not guilty.

 

At the last sitting of the court on Dec. 7, 2022, Shasore sought an adjournment of his trial to enable him to obtain more documents from the prosecution to prove his innocence.

 

Though counsel to the EFCC, Bala Sanga said he was ready to proceed with the trial, he expressed no objections to the request for an adjournment. He also told the court that the prosecution will oblige the defence with the relevant documents especially as the law says that what is required is proof of evidence.

 

Justice Mojisola Dada granted the request for an adjournment to allow parties to exchange documents and subsequently adjourned till today.

 

At the proceedings, another Senior Advocate, Muiz Banire who appeared for Shasore informed the court that the prosecutor was yet to oblige the defence team with the documents they had requested at the last adjourned date.

 

The SAN further contended that the defence would need those documents to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge.

 

In a counter-response, the lawyer for the prosecution, Sanga, notified the court that they have served the defence with the requested documents while showing the court the proof of service.

 

Justice Dada, who confirmed that the proof of service was not in the court’s file, urged the prosecution to file an affidavit of service. The court then adjourned further proceedings till June 20.

 

According to the EFCC, Mr Olasupo Shasore allegedly gave $100,000 to Mrs Olufolakemi Adelore (then Director, Legal, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources) on account of the role she played in the arbitral proceedings instituted by Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID) against the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

 

The prosecution also submitted that the defendant allegedly gave another $100,000 to Mr Ikechukwu Oguine (Secretary to the Corporation and Coordinator, Legal Services, (NNPC) on account of the role he played in the arbitral proceedings instituted by Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID) against the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

 

The EFCC said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 9(1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

 

The EFCC on October 21, 2022, arraigned Shasore on a two-count charge bordering on corrupt offers.

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Moment Of Praise Ends 2024 with Renewed Hope and New Beginnings

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The founder of Moment of Praise, an online weekly praise and worship session, Ranti Netufo, has said despite the challenges and difficulties experienced in the year 2024, there are many reasons to praise God for divine provisions in various ways.

He stated this while commenting on the special session of the programme slated for the last Sunday of the year titled “Renewed Hope and New Beginnings.”

The online praise and worship programme is holding from 6-8pm on Sunday December 29.

“The year 2024 has been filled with challenges. Despite the economic difficulties it has been amazing, with Moment of Praise, the Lord has kept us safe from the beginning of January until now. We all have a reason to praise God for His protection and mercy over us and our loved ones.

“Moment of Praise, an online weekly praise and worship programme, has provided avenue for us to praise and worship the Almighty God with top and popular gospel musicians.

“The programme climaxed for the year today with the programme themed “Renewed Hope and New Beginnings”, reference from Isaiah 43:19. 2024 has been an amazing year despite its own challenges, the Lord has given us moment to praise Him and celebrate.

‘’Today being the last Sunday of the year, we will be celebrating as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord with Moment of Praise team and Victor Praise. The programme will be streamed live on Facebook from 6-8pm,” he said.

Many gospel music stars have ministered to audience of the programme in the past, such as Tobe Alabi, Adeyinka Alaseyori, Evangelist Chigozie, Toluwanisings, Apekeola, Lekan Remilekun, Princess Ifemide, Paterson Okopi,Tope Flourish, Dare Justified, Bidemi Olaoba, Lady Evangelist Asonja Grace Awoete (Arole Eledumare), among several others.

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More Troubles For Ex-Delta Gov. Okowa As EFCC Arrests Accountant General Over N1.3Trn Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified investigations into the activities of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over an alleged N1.3 trillion fraud with the arrest of the Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs Joy Enwa.

The arrest of Enwa by the anti graft commission we gathered is part of investigations into the alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion linked to Okowa.

Other officials being questioned by the anti-graft agency, including a former Director of Finance and Administration.

EFCC sources hinted that the contentious funds include portions of the 13 percent derivation allocation meant for oil-producing states from the monthly Federation Account revenue.

It was widely reported that former Governor Okowa was detained at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt office in November over allegations of using his office to divert state funds for personal gain.

Among the assets allegedly tied to the fraud include shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Company and investments in the oil sector.

Spokesperson of the Commission, Dele Oyewale, who confirmed the arrest, said; “Mrs Enwa was detained for questioning over the ongoing investigation into the mismanagement of state funds under the former administration. Some other government officials have also been interrogated.”

Mrs. Enwa, who served as Deputy Accountant General during the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, was appointed Accountant General by Okowa in 2020.

When contacted to comment on her engagement with the anti-graft agency, Mrs. Enwa declined to provide details, stating; “I am not the right source to confirm this story. Please contact the EFCC for clarification.”

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Alleged Debts: NCC Approves Disconnection Of Exchange Telecoms From MTN Company Network

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The disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications LTD from MTN Nigeria Network has been approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

MTN company was accused of failing to settle interconnect charges.

Exchange Telecommunications is a local and international interconnect carrier.

The NCC, a regulatory commission made this known in a public notice signed by its Public Affairs Director, Mr Reuben Muoka at the NCC office on Friday.

It was noted that the disconnection would subsist until otherwise determined by the commission.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby notifies the public that approval has been granted for the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Ltd. (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. (MTN) as a result of non-settlement of interconnect charges,” the NCC said.

It was also stated that the Exchange was notified of the application and was given the opportunity to comment and state its case.

The NCC, however, said having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, it determined that the Exchange does not have sufficient reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.

NCC said the disconnection of the Exchange Telecommunications to MTN was in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.

At the expiration of five days from the date of this notice, MTN would discontinue passing voice and data traffic through Exchange and will, thereafter, utilise alternative channels in interconnecting with other network service providers.

 

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